When I was a child, Valentine’s Day was always something to look forward to. It was a day when we brought cupcakes and cookies to school. It was a day when we spent the morning exchanging cards (my favorites were always adorned with Snoopy) with classmates and teachers. It was a day when we cut out red and pink paper hearts to adorn the classroom windows. It was a day when paper doilies became a memorable part of the day’s artwork. It was a day when my parents wrote “I love you” on a piece of construction paper cut out in the shape of a heart. My dad would add some red marker swirls and it would magically turn into a rose. It was a day full of kindness, thoughtfulness and immeasurable sweetness.

As I progressed into parenthood, I reveled in sharing those same types of moments with my kids. Even though they are both adults, I still hand-cut paper hearts and write those three very special words on them. It’s little traditions like these that we need to keep alive, just like playing May baskets, sharing the first gifts of Christmas with the fire department and frolicking Basin Road on Halloween.

February is filled with another kind of love. The love of basketball. I am not a die-hard hoop-head. I’ve never filled out March Madness brackets. I certainly don’t know the difference between a double bonus, a double-double or a double dribble. What I do know is it’s time to say way to go West Tisbury School Hawks, who swept the boys and girls championship games. The boys basketball team took on Edgartown and pulled off the win under the guidance of coach Matt Gebo. Among others, the team includes Chilmark and Aquinnah kids Liam Keene, Corrick Slavin, Duke and Zeke Broderick and Louis Vanderhoop. Jump shots, free throws, three-pointers, layups, slam dunks and bank shots were in abundance. Let’s all be proud and congratulate our spectacular middle schoolers.

The love of his childhood home called to Lucas Murphy. He cruised across Vineyard Sound on his boat Awesome. He tied up and made his way to Rumpus Ridge for the night. It’s amazing how one can feel Susan, Lynn and Lynn’s presence when Lucas is in town.

The love of being out and about in Chilmark allowed me to bump into Bob Zeltzer twice in the past week. We can go for months without seeing one another, but when we do it’s like not a day has passed. He reports on Linda, occasionally his grandkids (with primary focus on Josh since he and Bradley are the same age), asks how my family is and then has some sort of insight or inspiration to share. Linda, if you are reading, Bob relayed your message and I thank you.

The love of life sends a hip, hip, hooray shoutout goes to Susan Heilbron who celebrated 80 years old. I read a quote somewhere that seems fitting of such a person and occasion: “Time may fly, but your spirit shines brighter than ever.”

We all love having good people in our lives. The fact is, good people are contagious. Albert Fischer, neighbor, friend, father, grandfather, uncle, son, confidant, laugh inducer, story teller and all around man of many qualities celebrates his birthday on Feb. 13. Although he crossed town lines a few years ago and rests his head in West Tisbury, this man will always have Chilmark dirt under his nails and sand between his toes. You are loved Mr. Fischer.

The love of ease on the water brought one of the US Coast Guard’s 49-foot stern loading buoy tender to Menemsha. A sunny and calm day was the perfect time to do a little inspecting. They spent an hour or so puttering around, checking out the green bell buoy and the red nun.

A love for the wilds of Alaska will recall Nick Grim, officer in charge at Station Menemsha. Nick will soon be promoted to Master Chief and, with that, he and his family will be moving to Petersburg, Alaska, where he will be Officer in Charge of the 87-foot patrol boat, Pike.

On this Valentine’s Day, may your handful of colorful Conversation Hearts bear the words: Integrity, Kindness, Joy, Humor, Respect, Confidence, Courage and most of all, Love. Love isn’t just for couples; it’s for everyone.